The  Last  time. 
Conf  Pam  12mo  #651 


.\o.  ri. 


THE  LAST  TIME. 


HE  didii^t  think  it  was  the  last  time ! ''  said 
.  the  weeping  Avidow  of  a  labouring  man 
who  had  met  witli  sudden  death  the  day  before. 
*'  He  got  his  breakfast  as  usual  and  went  out 
to  his  work ;  he  didn't  think  it  was  the  last 
time  ! ''  No,  poor  widow,  he  did  not  think  so ; 
nor  did  j^ou,  or  the  neighbours,  or  the  men  he 
worked  with.  There  was  nothing  to  make  any 
one  think  his  end  was  so  near ;  for  he  was  not 
past  the  prime  of  life,  and  was  as  strong  and 
healthy  as  most  men.  Yet  so  it  was  ;  a  few 
hours  after  the  husband  and  wife  parted  at  the 
cottage  door,  he  was  brought  home  to  die.  A 
heavy  stone  shpped,  the  plank  on  which  it 
rested  broke  in  the  middle,  one  part  flew  up 
and  struck  him  on  the  forehead  ;  in  an  instant 
he  lay  senseless  on  the  ground  and  never  sj^oke 
ten  words  more. 

Such  things  make  a  sensation,  as  well  they 
may.  The  cliange  is  so  great  (greatest  of  all 
to  the  poor  man  himself,  but  great  also  to  wife 
and  children  and  all  belonging  to  him)  that 
neighbors  and  work-mates  for  the  time  can 
talk  of  notliing  else  ;  and  much  real  feeling  is 


J  TiiE   Last   TiUk. 

dl^awn  forth.  Just  before  writing  this  1  saw 
an  account  of  five  persons  killed  by  a  railway 
accident.  How  little  they  thought,  when  they 
stepped  into  the  train,  that  they  were  doing  so 
yor  the  last  time  ! 

A  fire  happened  latel}^  in  a  large  City  ,and  no 
fewer  than  eight  of  the  people  in  the  house 
were  burned  to  death.  Little  did  they  think, 
as  they  lay  down  in  bed  that  night,  that  it  was 
the  last  time  !  A  fishing-boat  went  out  one  fine 
morning  :  before  night  a  squall  came  on,  and 
the  boat  was  never  heard  from  again :  the  poor 
men,  who  had  been  used  to  fishing  all  their 
lives,  little  thought  that  this  was  the  last  dmjs 
fishing  they  would  ever  have. 

These,  however,  are  what  are  called  acci- 
dents, rare  and  miexpected  things,  which  hap- 
pen only  now  and  then,  and  surprise  all  who 
hear  of  theni  :  this  is  not  the  usual  course  of 
things.  But,  reader,  does  it  ever  strike  you 
that  there  will  be  a  last  time  for  every  one  of 
the  common  things  which  you  do  day  by  day  ? 
It  may  not  come  suddenly,  as  in  the  cases  here 
mentioned ;  but  come  it  will.  You  will  rise 
some  morning  and  go  to  your  work  for  the 
last  time  ;  some  evening  3^ou  will  go  to  rest 
for  the  last  time ;  the  day  will  come  when  you 
will  eat  your  last  meal,  take  your  last  ivalk, 
read  your  last  hooJc.  There  is  not  a  thing 
you  are  doing  now,  that  you  will  not  some  day 
do  /or  the  last  time.  And  this,  whether  the 
things  be  good    or  bad.     Do  you   frequent   a 


I 


THE    LAST    TIME.  d 

place  of  worship  ?  Some  day  you  will  go  there 
for  the  last  time.  Do  you  neglect  the  house 
of  God  ?  Some  Lord's  day  you  will  hear  the 
bell  ringing,  and,  as  usual,  pay  no  attention  to 
it,  and  never  hear  it  again.  Are  you  a  drin- 
her  1  The  day  will  come  when  your  foot  will 
cross  the  threshold  of  the  drinking-shop  for 
the  last  time.  Do  you  swear  /  Some  day  an 
oath  will  pass  your  lips,  and,  little  as  you  may 
think  so,  it  will  be  your  lasi. 

Would  that  these  words  might  come  true  in 
another  way  !  That  3a^u  might  be  chanqed, 
and  so  never  swear  again,  never  more  set  foot 
in  a  drinking-shop,  never  again  neglect  God's 
house  !  But,  remember,  should  no  change 
take  place — should  you  go  on  Sabbath-break- 
ing, drinking,  swearing — still  you  will  some 
day  do  each  of  these  for  the  last  timp. 

^ow,  reader,  you  know  all  this.  Every 
body  knows  it.  But  many  forget  it ;  perhaps 
you  do.  There  is  much  to  make  us  forget  it. 
Things  generally  go  on  in  a  very  even  course  ; 
one  day  is  much  like  aaother ;  what  you  did 
yesterday  3'ou  are  doing  to-day,  and  are  very 
hkely  to  do  to-morrow.  This  is  wdiat  made 
those  people  scoff,  of  whom  the  apostle  Peter 
writes:  "  Where,'' said  they,  "is  the  promise 
of  his  coming  ?  for  since  the  fathers  fell  asleep 
all  things  continue  as  they  were  from  the  be- 
ginning of  the  creation."  But  turn  to  your 
Bible  and  see  how  the  apostle  answers  them  ; 
"  One  day  is  with  the  Lord  as  a  thousand  years. 


4  THE    LAST    TIME, 

and  a  thousand  years  as  one  day.  The  Lord 
is  not  slack  concerning  his  promise,  as  some 
men  [those  very  scoffers  themselves]  count 
slackness  ;  but  is  long-suffering  to  us-ward, 
not  willing  that  any  should  perish,  but  that  all 
should  come  to  repentance.  But  the  day  of 
the  Lord  will  come  as  a  thief  in  the  night," 
etc.  2  Pet.  iii.  8-10.  Yes  !  however  appear- 
ances may  be  against  it,  "  the  day  of  the  Lord 
will  come  ;"  and  equally  sure  it  is  that  though 
you  may  have  done  the  very  things  you  are 
now  doing  a  thousand  times  before,  yai  you 
will  some  day  do  them  all  for  the  last  time.  It 
is  very  likely  that  you  will  know  it  is  the  last 
time,  just  as  it  happened  in  the  cases  before- 
mentioned  ;  but  whether  you  know  it  when  it 
comes  or  not,  the  last  time  icill  come.  May  God 
give  you  grace  to  be  ready. 

Oh !  reader,  when  you  have  slept  and  risen, 
and  eaten  and  drunk  for  the  last  time,  when 
you  have  looked  your  last,  and  breathed  j^our 
last,  where  will  you  be  ?  Have  you  thought 
of  that  ?  Do  you  think  of  it  every  d?y,  and 
make  it  your  first  concern? — Ah!  do  not  live 
as  though  you  were  never  to  die.  Do  not  let 
day  after  day  slip  by  as  if  your  days  were  ne- 
ver to  end.  Remember  that  solemn  parable 
of  our  Lord  in  Luke  xiii.  6-9  :  '*  A  certain  man 
had  a  fig-tree  planted  in  his  vineyard;  and  he 
came  and  sought  fruit  thereon,  and  found  none. 
Then  said  he  unto  the  dresser  of  his  vineyard, 
^  Behold,  these  three  years  I  come  seeking  fruit 


THE    LAST    TIME.  5 

on  this  fig-tree,  and  lind  none;  cnt  it  down; 
why  cnmberetli  it  the  ground?'  And  he,  an- 
swering, said  unto  him,  'Lord,  let  it  alone  this 
year  also,  till  I  shall  dig  about  it,  aiYll  dung  it : 
and  if  it  bear  fruit,  well ;  and  if  not,  then  after 
that  thou  shalt  cut  it  down/ ''  Perhaps  you 
have  been  like  that  fig-tree,  without  fruit ;  and 
perhaps  another  year's  trial  has  been  allowed 
3^ou,  and  this,  it  may  be,  is  that  last  time  of  grace 
obtained  for  you,  and  when  this  is  gone  no  more 
will  be  granted. 

Oh !  instead  of  fancying  that  because  things 
go  on  as  usual  the  end  will  never  come,  thank 
God  that  it  has  not  come  while  you  were  un- 
prepared. It  was  mercy  that  kept  it  back, 
His  mercy  wiio  "  long-suflering  to  us-ward, 
not  willing  that  any  should  perish,  but  that  all 
should  come  to  repentance."  But  for  this, 
where  might  you  have  been  now  ? 

But  what  if  it  should  all  be  in  vain  ?  What 
if  this  should  be  the  last  day  of  grace,  and  you 
should  neglect  it  ?  "What  if  the  end  should  be 
close  at  hand,  and  you  should  remain  careless 
and  hard,  impenitent,  unpardoned  ?  I  beseech 
you,  dear  reader,  whoever  you  are, — I  beseech 
you  by  the  mercies  of  God,  do  not  turn  aw^ay 
from  these  thoughts,  but  think  now  of  tlie  last 
time.  Tliink  now  while  3^ou  may,  for  the  end 
may  be  very  near.  He  who  has  borne  with 
you  so  loDg  still  waits  to  be  gracious ;  the 
Saviour  wiio  died  for  you  still  pleads  for  you 
and  loves  you,  'and  is  even  now  knocking  at 


6  THE  LALT   TIME, 

the  door  of  your  heart.  ^'  Behold/'  says  He, 
''  I  stand  at  the  door  and  knock."  But  it  may 
be  the  last  time.  Open  and  let  him  in. 
Hearken,  *yes,  hearken  to  this  gracious  and 
loving  Saviour !  He  loves  you,  though  you 
have  never  loved  him.  He  has  shown  that 
he  does,  again  and  again.  If  he  had  not  loved 
you,  the  last  time  would  have  come  to  you 
long  ago,  and  found  you  not  ready.  If  he 
did  not  love  you,  he  would  not  send  you  so 
many  kind  messages  ;  warning  you  of  da,nger, 
telling  you  of  mercy,  inviting  you  to  look 
unto  him  and  be  saved.  Even  this  little  tract 
comes  to  you  with  a  message  from  him. 

But,  Oh !  let  there  be  no  more  delay  ! 
"  That  thou  doest,  do  quickly."  You  have 
slighted  messages  enough.  You  have  long 
enough  tried  the  patience  and  love  of  Jesus. 
Try  him  no  longer.  Open  and  let  him  in, — 
at  once — without  delay  ;  or  he  may  never 
knock  again. 

And  then,  dear  reader,  at  peace  with  God 
through  Christ,  joined  to  the  Saviour  by  a 
living  faith,  sprmkled  with  his  blood,  washed, 
pardoned,  accepted,  justified;  and,  by  the 
Spirit's  help,  walking  in  the  way  of  everlast- 
ing life,— then  you  need  not  fear  to  think  of 
the  last  time,  ior  even  if  the  Lord  Jesus  come 
guddeuly,  he  will  not  find  you  sleeping. 


A  FRIENDLY  CALL* 


All  you  into  whose  hands  this  little  book  shall  come, 
0  let  me  beg  you  to  consider  how  your  hearts  can  endure 
to  think  of  being  shut  out  of  heaven,  out  of  blessedness 
for  ever  !  Ask  your  heart  these  questions.  Can  1  endure 
the  vengeance  of  eternal  tk-e  ?  Will  a  glowing  oven,  a 
scorching  furnace,  be  an  easy  lodging  for  me?  0  why, 
my  soul,  wilt  thou  not  be  persuaded  to  repent  ?  Talk  to 
thee  of  crucifying  the  flesh,  or  parting  with  thy  worldly 
companions,  of  entering  in  at  the  strait  gate;  O  these  are 
hard  sayings,  \»ho  can  bear  them  ?  But  how  wilt  thou 
dwell  with  devouring  fire  ?  How  wilt  thou  dwell  with 
everlasting  burnings  ?  Think  on  hell,  0  poof  soul,  and 
then  think  on  Christ :  and  consider  if  a  Redeemer  from 
such  misery  is  not  worth  accepting  of.  Think  on  hell, 
and  then  think  on  sin,  and  carnal  pleasures;  consider  how 
thou  wilt  relish  them  in  the  everlasting  fire  !  Are  these 
the  price  for  which  thou  sellest  thy  soul  to  hell  ?  O  bid 
these  lusts  and  pleasures  be  gone  !  bid  your  companion- 
sins  be  gone  :  and  though  you  love  them  well,  and  have 
spent  your  time  sinfully  with  them,  yet  tell  them  you  must 
not  burn  for  them  :  that  you  will  not  damn  your  soul  to 
please  your  flesh. 

0  poor  soul!  Hast  thou  kept  Christ  out  a  long  time, 
and  art  thou  not  yet  resolved  to  open  thy  heart  to  him  ? 
What  shall  I  say  to  thee  ?  Let  me  say  this — Christ  waits 
still  for  thee  ;  Christ  is  still  willing  to  receive  thee  !  Wh}--, 
then,  wilt  thou  undo  thyself  by  neglecting  so  great  a  sal- 
vation ?  Think  what  message  He  sends  to  thee,  what  er- 
rand he  comes  on ;  it  is  no  dismal  message,  it  is  no  dread- 
ful errand.  If  Christ  had  come  to  destroy  thy  soul,  could 
he  have  had  less  welcome  than  thou  hast  given  him  ?  0 
for  thy  soul's  sake  receive  Him  !  0  ye  fools,  when  will 
ye  be  wise  ?  Come  unto  Jesus  and  he  will  have  mercy  on 
you,  and  heal  all  your  backslidings,   and   love   you  freely. 

But  some  poor  soul  will  say,  I  have  a  desire  to  come 
to  Christ,  but  1  am  afraid  Christ  will  never  receive  such  a 
wretched  sinner  as   I   am.    who    have   stood  out   so  long 


6  A   FRIENDLY    CALL. 

against  him.     In  answer   to  'this,   let   me  give  you  sotnS 
directions. 

1.  Ah  poor  soul,  art  thou  willing  to  come  to  Christ? 
Then  will  Christ  in  no  wise  cast  thee  out,  if  thou  comest 
to  Him  poor,  and  miserable,  and  blind,  and  naked.  0 
sinner,  come  not  to  him  in  thine  own  strength !  but  come 
thou  and  say,  0  Lord,  here  is  a  poor  soul  not  worth  any 
thing  !  0  Lord,  make  me  rich  in  faith  !  here  is  a  misera- 
ble soul,  0  Lord,  have  mercy  «n  me  !  here  is  a  poor  blind 
soul,  0  Lord,  enlighten  me  from  above  !  here  is  a  poor 
naked  wretch^  0  Lord,  save  me,  lest  I  perish,  for  I  cannot 
help  myself. 

2.  Come  to  Christ  by  believing  in  him.  Yes,  when 
thy  poor  soul  is  sinkhig  into  hell,  and  sees  no  way  to  es- 
cape the  fearful  wrath  of  God,  0  then  at  sueh  a  time  seize 
fast  hold  On  Christ !  0  appprehend  and  apply  all  his  ben- 
efits to  thy  soul !  Come  and  grasp  him  in  tlie  ams  of  thy 
faith,  and  say^  I  believe  in  thee.  Lord  ;  help  my  unbelief. 
And  the  answer  which  thy  Lord  will  give  thee,  will  be 
this — Ue  it  unto  thee  according  as  thou  wilt.  Let  Christ 
be  in  your  hand,  and  the  promise  in  your  eye,  and  no 
doubt,  though  thou  hast  been  a  rebel  and  a  traitor,  yet 
Jesus  Christ,  having  received  gifts  for  the  rebellious,  will 
show  mercy  to  thee,  and  receive  thee. 

3.  Come  to  Jesus  Christ  by  repenting  and  forsaking  J^ll 
thy  sins.  Thou  canst  never  come  to  the  wedding  without 
the  wedding  garment ;  the  old  man  must  be  done  away, 
before  all  things  can  be  made  new.  *^0  Jerusalem,  wash 
thy  heart,  from  wickedness,  that  thou  mayst  be  saved ; 
how  long  shall  thy  vain  thoughts  lodge  within  thee  ?  " 


RICHMOND,       V  A : 

rriEspVTERiAW    committf.p:  of    publication 


Hollinger  Corp. 
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